Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Breaking Habits of Self-Deification

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, Apr 14, 2025

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines.

The Devil tempted Adam and Eve. “Ye shall be as gods.” We may feel a tug of resentment for their sin of pride. Why weren’t they content to allow God to be God? One God suffices. But if we’re honest, we may notice our own ugly patterns of self-deification.

Caiphas played God. He sized up the state of Israel during the Roman occupation and worried about the threat. He feared the Romans would view Jesus as a revolutionary. Although he was the High Priest, he preferred his international relations expertise. A man of religion in high places may treat his faith as a pious ornament—like prayer tassels or the appurtenances of religious rank. …

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